Deepa Mehta, Busan Festival Jurors Upbeat on Cinema’s Potential for Creative Recovery

Christopher Vourlias If the unexpected success of Netflix’s Korean sensation “Squid Game” has taught the TV industry anything, it’s that the next breakout hit can come from anywhere at anytime.

Timed to the occasion of China’s National Day holiday, the state spared no expense in making a most lavish and expensive slab of self-congratulatory movie propaganda with The Battle At Lake Changjin. Clocking in at nearly three hours, and spectacularly presented on an enormous IMAX screen, this is a gargantuan account of how Chinese troops outfoxed the Allied brass and pushed American and United Nations forces out of North Korea near the border of China in late 1950.

Video: Ozzy Osbourne Receives The COVID-19 Vaccine (Indy 100)William criticises space race as he calls for focus on earth instead_Original Video_m201783.

111 million globally since its Sept. 17 release, the Korean dystopian drama has, as to be expected, exploded into a real-life phenomenon — with weird and wacky, sometimes disappointing or occasionally dangerous results.St.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe Busan International Film Festival will be a homecoming of sorts for Zhang Lu. The celebrated art-house director was born in China, but is of Korean ethnicity, and has enjoyed many of his successes in Busan, at the festival or through the project market.Zhang’s new film “Yanagawa” has its world premiere in Busan’s Icons section and will next travel to the Pingyao festival where it is set as the opening title.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“No Time To Die” kept its place at the top of the South Korean box office for the second weekend. But, with no significant new releases competing against the James Bond title, it was a hollow victory.The Universal-released “No Time To Die” earned $1.83 million in Korea on its second weekend of release, according to data from Kobis, the Korean Film Council-backed tracking service.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefFollowing a recent pact with Philippines broadcaster ABS-CBN, streaming platform iQiyi International has revealed its first Filipino original series. At Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market it is also launching four originals from South Korea, and others from Thailand and Malaysia.The streamer is the overseas offshoot of NASDAQ-listed Chinese streaming firm iQiyi.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe global popularity of “Parasite” star Song Kang-ho has turned sports drama “One Win” into a major calling card for Korean film sales company K-Movie Entertainment.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefCOVID-related travel restrictions have made Busan’s film market a more Korean affair. But, having gone virtual, that does not have to be the case.Some 22 European sales companies, more than in 2020, will wake part at the Asian Contents & Film Market which kicks off Monday.

Rebecca Souw Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market kicks off Monday in virtual format for the second year. But that COVID-enforced constraint may not be an impediment.Market stalls operated on behalf of sales companies are virtual, and many Korean sellers will stay in place in Seoul, rather than making the trip to Busan.

Rebecca Souw Thursday saw the world premiere of the French-made, Korea-set romantic thriller, “Vanishing” at the Busan International Film Festival. Its director Denis Dercourt said that the movie attempts to straddle both cultures.Adapted from the Peter May novel, “The Killing Room,” the script was in the works for eleven years, according to Alexis Dantec, the film’s producer.

Wife of a Spy” was the biggest winner at the 15th edition of the Asian Film Awards. It collected three major prizes including the best film award.The 18 prizes were handed out Friday evening at a hybrid ceremony with the in-person component held at Busan’s Paradise Hotel.

Rebecca Souw The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted film productions, releases and festivals.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefLeading Korean film sales agent Finecut has taken international rights to stylish genre actioner “Project Wolf Hunting.” The company will launch it at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents and Film Market which starts at the weekend.Directed by Kim Hongsun, the film is set on board a cargo ship which is being used to transport dangerous criminals from Manila in the Philippines to Busan, South Korea.

Netflix series “Move to Heaven” and “Sweet Home” each picked up three awards at the third edition of the Asia Contents Awards. The awards, held on the sidelines of the Busan International Film Festival, recognize excellence in TV, OTT and web content.An awards ceremony was held in Busan on Thursday evening in hybrid form.

It just goes to show you should never give up. After all, even Netflix‘s biggest new show Squid Game wasn’t given an immediate green light! (Too soon?)